The Hidden Costs of Healthcare: A Sobering Reality for Retirees in Hong Kong The recent case of Philip Kong, a 75 year old retiree who sought medical treatment in Shenzhen to avoid exorbitant costs in Hong Kong, has highlighted the distressing trend of rising healthcare costs.
Kong was quoted HK$210,000 (US$26,780) for a scheduled surgery at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, but a visit to the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital offered a significantly more affordable option – with costs reduced by nearly 90 percent.
The Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS), designed to provide financial protection for elderly patients, seems inadequate.